Trimming device



April 7,V 1942.

E. vr. swANsoN TRIMMING 'DEVICE Filed July 23, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l RNEY.

IN VENTOR.

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April 7, 1942. E. v. swANsoN TRIMMING DEVICE Filed July 25, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

' ATTQRNEY.

Patented Apr. 7, 1942 j iv UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE y TRIMMING DEVICE Edward V. Swanson, San Francisco, Calif. Application July 23, 194:0,` Serial'No. 346,941

9 Claims.

This invention relates to a trimming board or cutter device.

The object of this invention is to provide a trimming board which can simultaneously trim two edges or ends of a sheet of material, such as paper or the like, and which can be adjustedv to trim sheets to different selected sizes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a trimming board cr paper cutter or the like, wherein the cutting edges of the board are adjustable to trim sheets of various dimensions, the cutters being adjustable for constant operative relation with the respective cutting edges in all positions. l

Another object of this invention is to provide a trimming board in which a pair of cutters operate in unison adjacent spaced cutting edges of the board, and wherein means are provided to simultaneously set the relative spacing of the cutting edges and of the corresponding operative positions of the cutters.

A further object of this invention is to provide a trimming board which is adjustable to different widths, has a pair of spaced cutters acting in unison at spaced cutting edges, is releasably held in adjusted positions, and has adjustable means for aligning the sheets to be cut on the board.

Another object of this invention is to provide a trimming board which is highly useful and simple in construction. Convenience of arrangement, lightness and comparative inexpense of manufacture are further objects which have been borne in mind in the production and development of the invention.

I am aware that some changes may be made in the general arrangements and combinations of the several devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction thereof without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the following specication, and as defined in the following claims; hence I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the said device and parts as described in the said specification, nor do I confine myself to the exact details of the construction of the said parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

With the foregoingvand other objects in view, which will be made manifest in the following detailed description, reference is had to the accompanying drawings for the illustrative embodiment of the invention, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the trimming board constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view, partly in section, of the trimming board.

Fig. 3 is a sectional top view of the trimming board; and

Fig. 4 is an end view of the trimming'board.

Heretofore the utility of the average trimming board was limited within comparatively small range of sizes. The trimming boards heretofore were made in sizes varying by about two inches, for instance, vboards were made a square eight inch, ten inch, or twelve inch size, and so up to a size of the so-called cutting or trimming table, with large blades mounted on the table. In prior practice only one cutter was used at one edge of the board and the sheet to be trimmed had to be turned around for the trimming of each edge. To obviate the above and other disadvantages of the trimming boards vand tables heretofore used, the herein invention provides a trimming board which is adjustable for handling sheets or trimmings of a variety of sizes and width in a considerably wide range, and which can be used to trim both edges of a sheet at the same time. Y

In carrying out my invention I make use of af table or board l, having preferably parallel'cuttingedges or cutting guides 2 and 3,. A pair of cutting tools such as blades 4 and 6 are respectively aligned with the cutting edges 2 and 3 so as to cut along said edges in the usual manner. A connection 'l between the mounted ends of the blades 4 and 6 is adapted to Vallow the changing of the spacing between the blades and connects the blades 4 rand 6 for ymovement in unison. The cutting edges 2 and 3 are adjustably supported. A releasable catch mechanism 8 holds the cutting edges 2 and 3 in preadjusted positions. An adjustment mechanism 9 is adapted to adjust both cutting edges 2 and 3 and the blades 4 and 6 simultaneously to the desired spacing.

The cutting edges 2 and 3 may be separate strips adjustably attached to a Xed board or base, however, in the herein illustrative construction the board I itself is made of comparatively thin sections Il and I2 arranged in superimposed and overlapping relation. 'Ihe overlapping top edge I3 of the board section Il is preferably mitered so as to smoothly fit over the underlying top surface of the other board section l2. In this illustrative embodiment the spacing between the cutting edges 2 and 3 is varied by moving the board sections Il and I2 relatively to each other. The top board section H has below each end thereof, a suitable tongue such as a dovetail tongue I4 which is extended all along beneath the adjacent edge of the top board section I I, and faces inwardly of the board I. The bottom board section I2 has at each end thereof a downwardly extended connection flange I6 with a dovetail groove I1 facing outwardly of the board for engagement by the tongue I4. The tongues I4 and the grooves I1 are located in alignment for slidable engagement. Thus the spacing between the cutting edges 2 and 3 and the width of the board I can be varied by sliding the board sections I I and I2 relatively to each other. The tongue and groove connection between the board sections |I and I2 maintains' them in an operating plane.

The board and the board sections I I and I2 may be supported in a suitable manner. In the herein illustration, each board'section II and `I2 has at its outer corner a base or leg I8 on which the board I rests. In this form when the sections I I and I2 are moved relatively to each other, the legs I8 of the respective sectionsA move with said sections. To facilitate the adjustment Vof the width of the board I, the adjustment mechanism 9 herein includes racks I9, which are connected to the outside ofthe tongues I4 of the section I I and gears 2| journaled on the lower portion of the connection anges I6 of the other-section I2, so that the respective gearsZI engage the racks I9. A handle 22 atv the front of the device is used to rotate .a shaft 23 for rotating the gears 2|, which latterin turn actV on the racks I9 for relative sliding of the board sections II and I2. The blades 4 andv are rotatably mounted on brackets 24 and 26 respectively, securedto the tops of the board sections II and I2 so that when thesections and I2 are moved relatively to each other the brackets 24 and `26 move withy them and carry the blades 4 and `6 in constant registry with the respective cutting edges 2 and 3. The connection 1 between the blades 4 and 6 includes a tubular shaft 21 fixed to the hub 28 of the blade 4. The-shaft 21 is extended through the bearing bracket 24; A shaft 29-is extended Vfrom the hub 3| of the other blade 6 through the other bracket 26 and into the end of the tubular shaft 21. The shafts `29 and 21 are slidably splined or keyed together for unitary Irotative movement. The inner shaft 29 is of such length as to remain engaged with the tubular shaft 2`| throughout the entire range of adjustments of the board sections II and I2. Each shaft 21 and 29 has a fixed exterior collar 32 thereon located between the brackets 24 and 2B in spaced relation to the respective brackets. A coil vspring 33 between each bracket 24 or 26 and the adjacent collar 32 yieldably pulls the respective shafts 21 and 29 and the blades 4 and 6 toward the cuttingedges 2 and 3 respectively. In order that the blades 4 and 6 engage the article to be cut progressively from the bracket ends of the cutting edges 2 and 3, the positions of the hubs 28 and 3| are controlled by cams 34 provided on the outer faces of the brackets 24 and 26 respectively. A ball contact 36 in each hub l28 and 3| rides ydirectly on the adjacent surface of the cam 34 so as to reduce friction. The springs 33 urge the blades 4 and 6 to follow the 'curvature ofthe cams 34. The cams 34 are so formed that the ball contacts 36 are in the depression of the cams 34 when the blades-4 and -6 are turned upwardly to inoperative position. lThe curvature of the cams 34` then gradually and circumferentially slants away from said lowestpoint so that the hubs `28 vand3| of the blades-4land6 are grad-v ually pushed .away from the planes of the cutting edges 2 and 3, while the other portions of the blades 4 and 6 arefprogressively brought into contact along the respective cutting edges. The blade 4 herein is provided with a handle or grip 31 for the manipulation of the blades, although it is optional to provide both blades 4 and 6 with such handles. The turning of either blade turns the other. The adjustment of the board sections II and I2 adjusts the positions of the blades 4 and 6 correspondingly and automatically.

The releasable'catch mechanism 8 for holding the board sections |I and I2 in adjusted positions, is located beneath the board I. A frame 38 is secured to the inside face of each connection ange I6. In each frame 38 is slidably held a yoke`39. A plurality of pins 4| are slidable in aligned holes in the frame 38 and in the yoke 39. Thepins 4| are movable toward and away from said dovetail groove I1 and the dovetail tongue I4 therein. Each'pin 4| has a collar 43 thereon located between the yoke 39 and the frame 38. A coil spring 44 around each pin 4| bears at one end; against the collar `43 and at its'other end against the frame 38 so as to yurge the pins 4I toward the tongue I4 in the groove I1. Theholes 42 and thepinsl arein rows longitudinal with respect to the .connection ange I6 and yare equally spaced from eachother. A row of keeper holes 46 is provided longitudinally in the tongue I4 so that the rows of holes 42 and 46 are on the same level or line. The keeper-holes 46 are also equally spaced from each other butthe spacing between the keeper holes 46 is different from the spacing between the pins 4|. For instance the difference between thespacings of the keeper holes 46 and pins 42 may be about 1A@ of an inch, which would result in the registering of 'one pin 42 with one keeper hole '46 every 1,46 of an inch apart. The row of keeper holes 46 extends along the length of the tongue4 I4 so that there can be engagement of a pin 4| at the innermost telescoped position of thel board sections I| and-I2 as well `as at `the outermost extended positionA of said sections. The yokes 39 of the opposed units are connected by links 41' to the opposite ends of a substantially central-horizontal lever 48 fulcrumed on a lug 49 depending from the underside of the lower board section I2. Anotherlink 59 extends from one end of the lever 48 forwardly and has a handlev 5| slidably held ina ange 52 below the fronttongue I4 so as to be Iaccessible from the front of the device for engaging and releasing the catch mechanism 8 at will. When the handle 5I is pulled forward of the board I, then both yokes 39 are pulled away from the respective connectionflanges I6. Each yoke 39 in turn engagesV the collars 43 so Ias to pull all the pins 4|A out of the level of the tongue I4. This releases theparticular pin 4| which wasin engagement with one ofv the keeper holes 46. After the board sections II and I2 are `adjusted the handle 5I is pushed in so as to return the yokes 39 to the wall of the connection flange |6. The yokes 39 thus free the pins 4| and whichever pin 4I is aligned with a keeper hole46 is permitted to enter said keeper hole `46, under theurging of its spring 44.

Itis to be noted that the board I in its collapsed position is elongated but its width is change- -able so as to approximate or equal, or if necessary exceed, its length. In all its forms -the herein board-is compact, it isv collapsible to a convenient narrow spacing, and it is easily changed tof-awider board. l'Ivhepaper handledkn'i'uitane'ous adjustments of the spacing *of 'said can be readily' pieces on the board and both edges trimmedat the same time. The cutting elements at the sides may be cutting rolls or'- blades, but are in alignment and adjustable with the cutting edges of the table. The cutting edges may be also Aadjustable relatively to a fixed support or table. l In order to align the paper or sheet correctly for the trimming and to accommodate sheets of various sizes, an aligning strip or ruler 53 is placed on the top section II of the board I. The ruler 53 is held in selected positions by a pair of prongs 54 which t into corresponding pairs of holes 55 in the top section II. 'I'he pairs of holes 56 for the prongs 54 are arranged in a series from the cutter supporting end to the front end of the board I. The ruler 53 is easily removed and placed at a selected distance from the ends. All the pairs of holes 56 are aligned at a predetermined angle relatively to the cutting edges 2 and 3 so that when an edge of the sheet is rested against the ruler 53 then the other two sides of the sheet are properly aligned with the cutting edges 2 and 3 for the desired trimming.

In operation the sheet is placed on the board I and so aligned that its edges to be trimmed are positioned at the desired angle at the cutting edges 2 and 3. Then the blades 4 and 6 are turned down over the cutting edges land simultaneously cut and trim both edges of the sheet. If the sheet to be cut is wider, then the Catch mechanism B is released and by operating the adjustment means 9, both board sections 2 and 3 are moved apart. After the desired width or spacing is reached the catch mechanism 8 is again engaged to hold said sections together as a unit.

It will be recognized that a particularly facile device is provided to accomplish the trimming of sheets of paper or the like; and one which combines light weight and adaptability for a variety of sizes and conditions, with a ruggedness of construction and positiveness of operation especially adapting it for its use. Being a unitary character, `the device requires no careful setting up and lends itself to effective application by the labor ordinarily available, and by the average layman.

To further facilitate adjustment to a measured width, the lower plate I2 is provided with Va transverse row of indicators forming a scale l' on which the overlapping edge I3 of the top section Il indicates the Iadjusted width of the table. This scale 51 may be pressed, engraved, painted, or otherwise formed on the surface of the bottom plate I2 in such a manner that it does not interfere with the relative sliding of the table sections.

I claim:

1. In a, cutting device, a pair of relatively adjustable superimposed elements, a cutting edge on each of said elements, a cutting element connected to each element in constant operative relation to the respective cutting edge, and means to support said elements in slidable, superimposed relation so as to form a table surface cf adjustable width.

2. In a trimming device of the character described, a cutting table having a pair of adjustable spaced cutting edges, a cutting element on the table in operative relation to each cutting edge, and connection for transmitting the operation of one cutting element to the other for simultaneous operation of the cutting elements at both cutting edges, said cutting element and the respective cutting edges being connected for sicutting edges and of said transmitting connections, by rack and pinion, so as to maintain said K cutting elements in constant operative positions relatively to the respective cutting edges.

3. In adevice for paper trimming and the like, a table, a pair of superposed relatively slidable table surfaces forming said table, means to connect said surfaces together with freedom of adjustment for changing the width of the table, a cutting guide edge on each surface, and a cutting mechanism on each surface in operative relation to the adjacent cutting guide edge.

4. In a device of the character described the combination with relatively movable table sections forming a cutting rtable of variable width, of a plurality of spaced catch members, means to yieldably hold said catch members on one of said sections, a plurality of spaced retainers for said catch member on the other section arranged in a superimposed line opposite to said row of.

catch members, said catch members being equally spaced from each other, said retainers being equally spaced from each other, the spacing between said retainers being different from the spacing between said catch members so as to allow engagement of one catch member with one retainer in the various adjusted positions of said sections.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with a table having a pair of spaced cutting guide edges and means to adjust the spacing between edges; of a pair of cutting blades, means to connect each blade to the table so as to be movable with the respective cutting guide edge, adjustable connection between the blades and at said first connectingmeans for transmitting the turning movement of one blade to the other.

6. In a trimming device of the character described, a pair of superimposed relatively slidable table sections, cutting edges on opposed free edges of said sections spaced apart from each other, cutting means on the slidable table sections operatively related to the respective cutting edges, and means to simultaneously adjust the table sections relatively to each other so as to adjust the spacing between said cutting edges and between said cutting means.

7. In a trimming device of the character described, a pair of superimposed telescoping table surfaces arranged to form a substantially level table surface of variable width, each table surface having a cutting edge thereon, a cutting element mountedfon each table surface in operative relation to said cutting edge so that each cutting element is moved with the respective table surface'when said table surfaces are adjusted so as to vary the spacing between the respective cutting edges.

8. In a trimming device of the character de scribed, a pair of superimposed telescoping table surfaces arranged to form a substantially level table surface of variable width, each table surface having a cutting edge thereon, a cutting 'element mounted on each table surface in opera- 2scribed,-a pair ofvsuperimposed teiescoping .table respective table surface whenlsaid'tabie surfaces surfaces arranged to fform .a Asubstantially -level Yare adjusted so as to vary the spacing between and .continuous table surface Aof variable Width, fthe respective cutting edges, andtelescoping coneach'tablefsurface having acuttingedge there- "nection between the mounted ends of said-cuton, a cutting element mounted on each table sur- 5 tingelements to transmit the motion of one cutface in operative relation to said t cutting edge ,ting element to the other in al1 adjusted positions. so that leach :cutting .element is moved with/che EDWARD V. SWANSON. 

